International Burkina Faso relations

Country profile & diplomacy overview · 17 relations tracked

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa. It shares borders with six countries: Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest. The capital of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou.

Population

20.9M#59 of 203

Land area

273.6K km²#73 of 203

GDP

$27.6B#119 of 197

Military expenditure

$1.0B#85 of 167

Global influence

#152Very Low

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Closest relations Strained relations Burkina Faso No data

Burkina Faso gained independence from France in 1960 and has a history of political instability and coups. The country has a presidential system of government, with the president serving as both the head of state and government.

The economy of Burkina Faso is largely based on agriculture, with cotton, sorghum, and millet being the main crops. The country also has significant deposits of gold and other minerals, which have attracted foreign investment. However, Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world, and its economic development has been hindered by a lack of infrastructure and political instability.

In recent years, Burkina Faso has faced a number of challenges, including terrorism and violence related to Islamic extremist groups in the country's north and east. The country has also experienced a series of coups and political unrest. In 2014, a popular uprising led to the ousting of President Blaise Compaoré, who had been in power for 27 years.

Despite these challenges, Burkina Faso has a diverse and vibrant culture, with a rich tradition of music, dance, and craftsmanship. The country is home to a variety of ethnic groups, including the Mossi, who make up the largest group, and the Fulani, who are largely concentrated in the north and east. French is the official language of Burkina Faso, but many other languages are also spoken in the country.

Geography & terrain

Mostly flat savanna and semi-arid Sahelian plateau, with limited relief anywhere in the country. Climate is hot, dry, and prone to drought, especially in the north. Landlocked, no coastline. The open, largely featureless terrain offers few natural barriers, making it historically easier to cross and harder to defend along any fixed line.

Key facts

Diverse sources: UN, World Bank, Burkina Faso Statistics Office/Department. Most recent available data
Capital	Ouagadougou (2.5M people, 11.7% of total population)
Population	20.9M (#59 of 203 countries)
Land area	273.6K km² (#73 of 203 countries)
Main religion	Indigenous beliefs, Islam, Christianity
Life expectancy	60 years

Source: World Bank Open Data. Most recent available data (2025)
Currency	West African CFA Franc
Main language(s)	French
Government type	Military junta (transitional)
Time zone	UTC+0.0
GDP	$27.6B (#119 of 197 countries)
GDP per capita	$1.1K (#177 of 198 countries)
International calling code	+226
Driving side	Right
UNESCO World Heritage Sites	4
Military expenditure	$1.0B
Land military expenditure (estimation)	$818.9M
Air military expenditure (estimation)	$204.7M
Naval military expenditure (estimation)	n/a
Military expenditure (% of GDP)	4.7%
Military expenditure per capita	$49
Nuclear power	No
European Union	Not a member
NATO	Not a member
Other groups	African Union

Shares a land border with 6 countries — here is how those relations stand

Burkina Faso's relations with its neighbors

Most similar countries, by language, currency, GDP per capita, borders & international groups

Rank #152 Very Low International Influence

Burkina Faso's actions have no significant effect on the world, and a very limited impact on other countries.

See the full world influence ranking →

Most intense relations

Top 5 relations of Burkina Faso by overall intensity. Intensity reflects the level and significance of interaction—not whether the relationship is positive or negative.